3 Different Ways on How to Remove Dicor Lap Sealant

Removing sealant off your RV can be tough. But this article can teach you how to remove Dicor lap sealant using simple, easy-to-follow tips. 

Proper maintenance is the key to ensuring that your RV is in its best condition. While most of those tasks aren’t difficult, they can be time-consuming. Fortunately, a good sealant can save you from these troubles. It effectively seals your RV’s external seams to keep moisture from ruining it. 

This will ensure that your vehicle is better protected and thus prolong its life. Many RV owners use Dicor lap sealant since it is one of the bests in the market. Dicor lap sealant works amazing, but even a top-of-the-line product won’t last forever. When it ages, it will crack and that will lead the water to get inside your RV. 

If that happens, you will need to replace the sealant with a new layer. That means you will want to know how to remove Dicor lap sealant. You are on the right page then. This article will tell you about the different methods and tips to remove Dicor lap sealant the easy way.

What You’ll Need

Before doing anything, try to gather the items mentioned below. You don’t need to have all of them since there will be different items used in various methods. But if you have most of them at home, then it will be great to have them at hand. This way, you can easily move on to the next method if the first one doesn’t work.

The items you will need are:

• A heat gun or hairdryer
• Putty knife or old credit card
• Damp rag
• Sealant cleaner
• Mineral spirits

Step by Step Instructions

Now that you have the items you will need to remove a Dicor lap sealant, you can start. There are three ways to remove a sealant mentioned in this article. The first one involves the use of heat. The second one uses a sealant cleaner and the third involves using mineral spirits.

Ensure Safety

First of all, you need to ensure your safety when working. You should always wear protective equipment whether you are applying or removing a sealant. It is highly recommended to wear gloves and goggles.

You can also wear a long-sleeve shirt to protect your skin. It is also best that you work somewhere open to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.

1 – Using a Heat Gun or Hair Dryer

One of the simplest ways to remove old, dirty, and cracked Dicor lap sealant is by softening it. You can do that by heating the sealant using a heat gun or hairdryer. Some even said to use a blow torch although that looks a little too much. Anyway, you can use an old credit card or a putty knife to scrape off the old sealant when it softens from the heat.

Keep in mind, however, that a plastic putty knife may even cut the roof or other parts of your RV. If you don’t want it to damage your vehicle, scrape off as much of the sealant as you can but be careful. Don’t scrape it off until the last bit and just use a damp rag to get the rest. This way, you can avoid hurting your RV when removing the Dicor lap sealant.

2 – Using a Sealant Cleaner

Another product or method that can remove Dicor lap sealant is a sealant cleaner. Keep in mind, however, that not all Dicor lap sealants work with any sealant cleaner or roof cleaner. You need to find the one that actually works for the sealant on your RV. If you choose right, the one you use should react to the sealant and cause it to bubble. When that happens, you simply wipe it off with a damp rag.

3 – Using Mineral Spirits

Another way to remove the Dicor lap sealant comes from Dicor itself. This one involves the use of mineral spirits. You simply apply the mineral spirits so that the sealant’s adhesive releases. After that, you simply clean it gently using a rag. When the mineral spirits are dry, you can then apply a new Dicor lap sealant over the old. It is simple but effective, which Dicor itself recommends.

Can you apply a new Dicor lap sealant to an old one?

If you don’t want to risk damaging your RV by removing the sealant, you can just apply a new layer over it. There is no problem with doing just that but do make sure that you don’t apply the new sealant hastily.

Make sure that you check the existing caulk for cracks or openings. If it has, you will have to fill those in when you apply the new sealant. But before that, don’t forget to clean it thoroughly.

Another thing to note before applying the new sealant is to ensure that the existing one has dried up after cleaning.

If it is damp or wet, the new Dicor lap sealant will not properly seal. Putting a new sealant over an old one isn’t exactly ideal because it won’t last a long time.

As such, it is still best to remove the old sealant if you can to ensure that the new layer will last longer.

Read more: What is The Best Exterior Caulk for Your Sealing Needs

Tricks and Tips on Cleaning Dicor Lap Sealant

Now that you have an idea of how to remove Dicor lap sealant, you will also want to know how to clean it thoroughly. After all, you will have to do that to ensure the new sealant adheres and forms well. On that note, it is best to remember the following tips:

• Wait until the sun is up when you work as it will warm the old sealant, which makes it more pliable and thus easier to scrape off. 
• Using a heat gun is okay but ensure that it is on low heat because if it’s in high heat, it will cause damage to the membrane or roof of the RV.
• If you are using a metal putty knife, you can heat that to remove the sealant. Once you’ve scraped enough, you can use caulk cleaner or alcohol to wipe off the rest.

Conclusion

How to remove Dicor lap sealant? It may sound difficult but it’s not. You only need a few things and with enough effort, you can scrape off the caulk with ease. Just remember to be careful when using heat or a knife. Otherwise, you may have removed the sealant but your RV ends up with scratches.